Spotlight range-limiting device



Feb. 2 1926.'

J. K. OLSEN SPOTLIGHT RANGE LIIITING DEVICE Filed nec. 29. 1924 2 Sheets-Shoot 1 Feb. 2 1926. 1,571,456

,1. K. oLsEN SPOTLIGHT RANGE LIMITING DEVICE Filed Dec. 29. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 CJI Patented Feb. 2, 1926.

UNlTED ASTATES j 1,571,456 PATENT oFFlCE.

JOHN K. OLSEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO STEVART-WARNER SPEEDOM- ETER CORPORATION, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, .A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA.

SPOTLIGHT RANGE-LIMITING DEVICE.

Application filed December 29, 1924. Serial No. 758,526.

To all Iwhom 'it may concer/a le it known that I, JOHN K. OLsnN, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and the State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spotlight Range-Limiting Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved mounting for a spotlight or searchlight having means for automatically defeating the illumination of the lamp f within predetermined ranges of its vertical and horizontal angular adjustment. It consists in the elements and features of construction shown and described, as indicated in the claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view of a searchlight lamp mounted and electrically connected for operating in accordancewith this invention.

Figure 2 is a section axial with respect to the joint about which the horizontal adjustment is obtained.

Figure 3 is a similar section axial with respect to the joint about which the vertical adjustment is obtained.

Figure t is an enlarged detail portion of the section shown in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional view transaxial with respect to the joint about which vertical adjustment is obtained, showing the lamp in side elevation in full line at horizontal position for projecting a beam forwardly, and in dotted line at three other positions.

Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 are diagrammatic views for showing the course of the lamp-energizing circuit and its interruption at various positions of adjustment of the lamp about the horizontal and vertical axes of the joints respectively.

In the construction shown in the drawings, the lamp body, A, has an axial handle, B, with a laterally7 projecting stem terminal, B1. Said stem, B1, extending horizontally is vertically pivoted at its right hand end, for adjustment of the lamp through a horizontal angle, to a supporting member, C, which is in turn mounted at its right hand end in a fixed support, D, for swiveling about a horizontal axis to afford adjustment of the lamp through a vertical angle. At the last mentioned swivel joint the parts which are pivotally related to each other at that joint, viz, the fixed support, D, and the swiveled support, C, have interposed between them around their pivot, two disks, 10 and 11, each formed of insulating material, as bakelite, having embedded in their contacting surfaccs,-the left hand surface of the disk, 10, and the right hand surface of the disk, 11,-electrically conductive sectors. These disks are rigid as against relative rotation with the respective members of the joint; that is, the disk, 10, is rigid with the supporting member, D, and the disk, 11, is rigid with the swiveled supporting member, C. The disk, 10, has embedded in its surface facing the disk, 11, for contact therewith, a conductive sector, 12, and the disk, 11 has similarly embedded in its surface for Contact with the disk, 10, diametrically opposite angularly narrow electrically conductive sectors, 13 and 23. The joint between the lamp body stem and the supporting member, C, to which it is pivot'ed for horizontal angular adjustment comprises fork terminals, C1, C11, of the left hand end of the supporting member, C, and the interposed terminal stem, B1, of the lamp body handle, B, the pivot bolt, E, extending through the three terminals. Encompassing the pivot bolt between the terminal, B1, of the stem, and each of the terminals, C1, C, there are interposed disks or washers of insulating material, such as bakelitc, having embedded in their respectively contacting surfaces sectors of electrically conductive material, viz, two similar disks, 15, 25, rigid as against relative rotation with the terminals, C1, C11, and disks, 16, 26, secured rigidly as against rota-tion to the opposite sides of the terminal of the stem, B1. Embedded in the disks, 15 and 25, at their inner surfaces are metal sectors, 15a and which are respectively at diametrically opposite positions on the two disks which are mounted respectively on the two terminals, C1, C11.

The disks, 16 and 2G which are mounted on the opposite sides of the terminal of the ste-m, B1, have embedded in their outer surfacesffacing and contacting the adjacent disks, 15 and 25, respectively, conductive sectors, 16a and 26, being directly opposite each other, so that for the purpose of considering the angular relation of the disks carried by the intermediate member, B1, of the joint, with respect to the disk carried by the fork terminals, C1, C, the two disks, 1G and 26, may be considered as one. From the source of current for energizing the lamp, conventionally indicated as a` battery, F, a circuit wire, 30, leads and is connected to the conductive sector, 10, of the disk, 10. It will be seen that the circuit becomes branched by the contact of the two conductive sectors of the disk, 11. with the single conductive rector, 10a, of the disk, 10, and the two branches of the circuit thus shuntcd in parallel are continued by wires, 82 and S3, from said conductive sectors, 13 and 23, respective y. to the conductive sectors, 15', 25, embedded in the disks, 15., 25, mounted insulatedly on the fork members, C1, Cu. Frein the two sectors. 16a and 2o, ofthe disks, 16 and 26, wires, 3ft, lead and are interlocked and extend as a single conductor to one contact of the lamp, the other contact being grounded as indicated at 40, in the circuit diagrams.

Upon considering this structure, it ma v be understood that at a predetermined position and within a predetermined range of horizontal angular adjustment of the lamp, one of the conductive sectors. 1,6, 26?, will be out of contact with the adjacent co-operatine conductive sector, 15L or 25a, so. that current cannot pass through the circuit lbranch which comprises these two conductive elements while it may pass through the corresponding conductive elements at the other side of the joint. And it may be understood that at a certain position within a predetermined range of horizontal angular adjustment of the lamp which is afforded by the joint, D,-.hereinafter referred to as the flrst7 joint,-between the fixedsupport and the'horizontal supporting` member, C, one of the conductive sectors, 13 or 23, of the disk, 11. will be out of contact with the conductive sector. 12, of the co-operating disk, 10, and in contact with the insulating area. 10, of said disk, while at thesame time the other conductive sector, 2S or 13, will be in contact with the conductive sector, 12, so that the current will pass by said first joint through one and not through the other of the branches or shunt paths of the circuit to the other joint, hereinafter called thel second joint. And it will be seen that if the lampy is adjusted horizontally at. said scc-ond joint to a positionr which will cause interruption of the circuit banch which is not interrupted by the coincident adjustment of the lamp at the first joint, the lamp will be extinguished, because the current will be cut off through both paths by which it might reach the lamp. But if, when the parts of the iirst joint are adjusted for interrupting the. left hand branch, leaving the circuit uninterrupted through the right hand branch so far as the tirst joint is concerned, the parts of the second joint are adjusted for maintaining` the circuit through the right hand branch, though the left hand lnfaiufh be interruji ted, there will be no extinguishiuent of the light, because one branch of the circuit is complete.

Upon further conf-fideration and by reiferN ence to the wiring diagram. Figures (i, 7 and S, it may be understood that at the position of the disks indicated in Figure (S. corresponding to the fullsline straight-ahead position of the lamp in Figures 1 and 5,-- that is, straight-ahead both as to horizontal and vertical adjustn'ient-,--the circuit. from the battery by the wire, 30, to the conductive sector. 12 is interrupted as to the right hand branch comprising the wire, 32, by contact of the conducting area. 23, with the insulating sector, 10, and that the l'n'anch through the wire, 33, closed by the contact of 13, with the conducting sector, 12. is interrupted by contact of the insulating sector, 25", with the conductive contact, 26a. so that no current reaches the lamp and illumination is prevented throughout the prohibited annular range both vertical and horizontal. Upon considering wiring diagram, Fig. 7, it may be understood that upon the adjustment of the lamp to the right away from t-he full-line position Figure 1, to the right hand dotted line posit-ion Il, shown in that figure to carry the lamp horizontally to the right, beyond the range of prohibited illumination, he circuit will be complete through the wire, 31, from the battery through the lirst joint by way of the conducting sector, 12. of the disk, 10, making contact with the conducting area, 13, of disk, 11, thence by the wire, 33, to the second joint b v way of the conducting area. 2da. of the left hand disk, of the second joint making contact with the conductng area, 20, of the left hand disk. 26, Jand upon considering Figure 8. it may be understood that upon turning the lamp to, the left from thefull line position of Figure 1,` to the dotted line position lll of that figure, the circuit will be closed for illuminating the lamp through the saine course as in the right hand adjustment of the lamp. the contact area, 1G, being n'lerelv shifted through the angle of adjustment of the lamp within the angular range of its contact with the secondary contact im. of the right hand disk, 15., of the second joint. Upon considering` the wiring diagram ot Figure 9, it may be understood that upon the adjustment of the lamp at the first joint away from straightnhead position which in respect to that adjustment is in horizontal position, the adjustment at the second joint remaining unchangeththat is, straightl ahead, if the vertical adjustment is upwardly through an angle suilicieni'; to carry the lamp beyond the vertical range of prohibited illumination, to dotted li i Vhe 1V in Figure 5, notwithstandingr within the prohibited angular ra zontal adjustment, the circuit n' through the ivii'e, 30 from the barterccntact area, 1Q, ot' the diei' 1 t contac With the contact, Q23, et the disk, 11, thence by Way ot' the vrire, to sector, 15, o tle ht liana oisk second joint, their e by contact ot with the Contact, ltf. ot the righ' 1G, oit said second joint. i I to Fig. 10, it will be understuoi. vertical adjustment aivav l ahead position is doiriir troni the uosition shovvn ure to the lett-hand dot iii that ligure, tl e lamp bibite-fl range ot hoiizoi y will be illuminated, the ciicii" en s. n

through the same cou `ls in the cane et the vertical adjustment ou nani-d, except that the contact ot "ie contact piece l r made with the Contact sector, posite side et' the iniilat -f 'hat at which this Contact lirst mentioned verticai a ljustii ly rerterence to wiring); diagia n 11, it may be understood thaY it adjusted about the tirst joint i light to the rear dotted line ii" Fig. 5, Within the range ot both ai; `l tal adjustments which is p 'ohibite Ward projection.7 trie circuit will be rupted and the lamp ivill be illumini.4 crcuit beingr broken as to the rie; branch by the con( uetine contact. l ing' contact with the insulating' sector, the tirst joint, but beingg` close lett hand branch through contact, 1B, 33, and by the Contact et the inV throne' i ment, 25", with the conducting' t( itact 2" find by reference to wiring` d i *ie 12 and l15, it may be understood adjusted for throwing' liglt to l lamp is turned about the tlrst y up or down beyond the vertical range er prohibited illumination, to dotted line positions indicated by axial lines VTI and fill ot Figure 5, the lamp vsill be illumna ed, the circuit being closed "from the f BO, to the contact sector, 12, making' Contact with both the conducting` contant,4 13 and 23. and thence by the Wires, 82 aid 33, to the conducting` area, 15 and 25, o

lett hand dis is, 16@ and 2G, ot tl is and 26, respectively, en said joint, and by reference to wiring diake'rz "".g i 1l and 15, it may be undersf i i l. the lamp is adjusted for throiviie a beam to the rear and as to its vertical ad" i ent Within the range prohibited tor Ytoiuvari projection, the lamp is adjusted horizontallyI about the second joint either te the rigflit or left beyond the prohibited horizontal range uiaiiiation, the lamp will be illuminated 1ie ercuit closed through the irst joint the contact, 2&3, a id wire, 33, the

non ,.-i sector, 25", and conducting' centachY 2G, ot the lett hand disk, 2G, ol 'the second ioint.

seen that the lamp v-:ill iically extinguished only ivlien ll;VY with adjustment horizontally niedetii-rinined range correspondly to the angular uitent ot sector, 25". lt is also adjusted forward projection of the predetermined angular range to the angular extent ol" the Sector. 12%: and that, notwithan Lia ie same imc .ie

not within the second laiiip ivill continue t0 1. ii lamp body and a supporting means .'or the same ixiiiiprising a primary stem ot the amp body and a secondary stem on l which the primary stem is pivotally suportaiid a lined support on which the secondarv stein is pivotally mounted, each of aiel pivotal joints having' about the pivot a .9, a piirality ot contactingdisks coniprised the lamp energizing circuit carried by and insulated irom the pivoted parts espe-tively, and having insulated et their respectively contacting` sur- 'faces of angular extent and relatively distrib ited for interrupting the current throughout a predetermined range of angul 'istmentg whereby the lamp is auto- "tieairy extinguished upon its adjustment out both pivots to any position Within the ra ges respectively predetermined by the annular extent and distribution of said insulated areas.

2. En the construction delined in claim 1, ing, the lamp energizing circuit being ied and sliuiited in parallel over the po tion extending between the tivo pivotal junctions by means of providing the disks on the fixed element at each of said junctions with duplicate insulatedly separated conducting a eas, the circuit being` branched to said separate conducting areas of said disks at one of said joints, and conductors from the respective conductingv areas of the co- (,:peratingg disks at said joint extendingto the duplicate insulatedly separated conducting` et the disks ot the other joint, the conducting and insulating` areas of the disks at either jointbeine` distributed for breaking the circuit through only one branch at any selected adjustment of the parts connected at that joint.

23. in the coi struction defined in claim 1, itoiegiiingg, the lamp energizing` circuit being` branched anc shunted in pa 'allel at the portion extending between the two pivotal junctions by nieans of providing` one of the contasting disks with two conducting' areas angularly sej'iarated by insulating` areas, circuit conductors troni said separated conductg ing; areas respectively, and duplicate pairs et contacting' disks at the other joint, said conductors being; conducted respectively to conducting,y areas ot the corresponding disks ot said pairs, the conducting and insulating' areas ot the correspondin oisks of said pairs beingl relatively distributed for breaking;` the circuit through only one branch at any selec-ted adjustment ot the parts connected at the lastnientioned joint.

et. In the construction delined in elaini l, foregoing, one ot said pivotal joints being constructed for adjustment ot the movable ineniber at said joint in a horizontal plane, and the other of said joints being constructed :tor the adjustment ot the :more le ineinber thereof in a vertical plane, the disks at the lirst n'ientioned joint comprising a disk mounted on the fixed ineniber at said joint having' two conducting' areas angularly separated by insulating area, the feo-operating disk at said joint carried by the inoif'able member thereof having` a single insulating area ot' angular extent less than the insulating` area, separating` the conducting' areas of the other disk; the disks at the other joint comprising' duplicate pairs at opposite sides ot the fixed ineinber at said joint, said fixed nieniber haring at its opposite sides, mounted insulatedly upon it7 disks having each anejularlj7 extended insulatingi and conducting' areas; the other disks of the two pairs carried lijf the nim/ingr inelnber a said joint having' their conducting areas respectively at opposite sides of the pivot axis of said joint, and conductors troin the insulatedly separated coi-"iductingg` areas ot the lirst joint to said oppositely positioned conducting areas ot the respective disks on the moving element at said second joint.

5. ln the construction defined in elaiin 1, the lainp energizing circuit con'iprising an 'ii-leading; line troni the current source rhrouggh the two joints in succession to the p, seid circuitbeing branched and unted in parallel orer the portion of its course extending' troni the iirst joint to the second; the contact disks at the first joint having` their respective insulatingr and conducting; areas distributed and relatively arer in u'rupting the circuit through "Quit branches within a predeiy arranged tor interi'uptiner the circuit tiroughout the other ot said circuit branches within a predetermined range of angiular adj ustnient ot the parts ot said seeond joint.

n testimony whereof, l hare hereunto set niy hand at Chicago, illinois7 this 3 day of December, 1924;.

JOHN l. OLSEN. 

